What constitutes ‘natural’ sleep? Kipping under the stars perhaps, or in the great bowers of a tree? We’re guessing that you wouldn’t lump your regular mattress in with those fantasies…

Unless that is, you’ve come to understand latex mattresses, and how they’re built for a special kind of sleep experience! Latex is a miracle – a gift from Mother Earth, which is blended with other organic materials to make it even more perfect and to give it the right look and feel for your bedroom.

Here at Cuckooland, we totally get that latex mattresses are, in some sense, a quirky and unusual concept. But that’s why we’re putting our school caps on, ready to learn about the perks, points and prerogatives of a latex sleep!

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How natural latex mattresses are made

So, for starters, we want to reinforce the fact that latex is not a synthetic product, at least in its authentic form. We’ll move onto synthetic latex shortly, but for now, let’s concentrate on the type that’s 100% organic.

Natural latex comes from a plant – the rubber tree – which secretes a milky sap when tapped into. Massive rubber plantations are harvested in tropical climates around the world; it takes gallons of latex sap, which seeps down into buckets, to make just one double-sized mattress.

Manufacturers take the sap, get rid of excess water, and bake it with other stuff (such as a casing of wool and cotton) to make a ‘foam’ – the final item. There are absolutely no pungent smells wafting off a latex mattress. At most, you’ll sniff a pleasant, sweet scent on the surface, but that’s about it.

The finished foam, free from springs and coils, can be a tad uneven from a visual standpoint. However, this is evidence of the non-chemical techniques that have been used; a totally uniform look means that your mattress probably isn’t organic latex!

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Synthetic latex – what you need to know

While natural latex is a friend to the environment, it can be a little pricey. Some mattresses are thus built from synthetic compounds to keep the cost down. They imitate, as best they can, how regular latex is supposed to act and feel over time.

The main features of the organic variety are pretty similar to synthetic, aside from a few deviations. But it’s worth remembering that the price of the mattress is going to be lower… so a natural latex could be a deal-breaker for your bed budget.

And, while you’re mulling it over, consider what a blended (best of both worlds) mattress could offer i.e. a synthetic design with a dash of organic latex for good measure, placed over a spring support or poly foam core. This can reinforce the mattress, and give it a bouncier feel.

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How latex excels when it comes to sleep care

Latex is really unique, both for the quality of your sleep and the long life it tends to have. These mattresses can be flat and supportive, or soft and impressionable. It’s the most versatile mattress category, and you can even get a double-sided model. The latex experience can be customised, depending on how well you rest it on a bed base. For example, a latex mattress may feel slightly firmer when placed on a divan base compared to a slatted ottoman bed base.

Due to the lack of springs in a wholly-latex model, couples don’t have to worry about getting on each other’s nerves in the night. There’s nary a squeak to be heard when one partner rolls out of bed or changes position, so a little movement on the mattress won’t disrupt anyone next to you!

The material can hold more heat, too, than a sprung or open coil mattress. The natural sort is guaranteed to be free of dust mites and bacteria; latex is extremely resistant to allergens. And, amazingly, it’ll last around three times longer than other mattresses – we’re talking a period of 25 years or more…

For convenience, we’d sum up the main advantages as being:

The widest range of firm or yielding surfaces in any mattress category.

Soundless sleep movements that won’t intrude on a partner, and vice versa.

Anti-dust, mould and bacterial growth for the whole of your mattress’ lifespan, providing it’s organic; which makes it a perfect option for kid’s beds too!

A prolonged use period that outstrips every other mattress to quite an absurd degree.

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The basics of looking after your latex mattress

For a purchase like this, and factoring its lifespan, it pays to get serious about keeping your mattress in peak condition. Follow our tips for prolonged comfort and durability:

Try to pair it with a box spring bed. Wooden bed frames can stress the molecular structure, and chip away at the latex’s inherent strength. A box spring – basically a cloth-and-spring-covered base – is much more suitable.

Avoid heated sleep aids. While latex mattresses aren’t as susceptible to temperature-led effects as memory foam, they can still be damaged by an electric blanket, or a radiator grazing the lower edge.

Turn the mattresses every few months. You don’t need to flip it, as there aren’t any spring groups to share the pressure. But swapping the top ends of the item on your bed frame ensures that not a single part of it is indented more than the rest.

Dry any spillage as fast as you can. Water and other liquids will creep into the foam and be very tough to remove. For synthetic latex, check the underside and around the rim for mildew every couple of days, which can be scrubbed away with a brush and a natural solution like baking soda or vinegar.

We reckon that’s most of what your (and our) latex memory bank can hold for now! For a chic flower child, or anyone wanting the most loving choice of adaptable surfaces, you can’t fail with this mattress selection!

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Have a read of our whopping Ultimate Mattress Guide for the most complete and all encompassing guide to the wonderful world of Mattresses or call our Dream-team on +44 (0) 1305 231231 or email for more bedroom furniture tips or super friendly advice on the perfect products for your bedroom…

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About Us

Established in 2012, Cuckooland’s online store is the funest way to find Wow, Weird & Wonderful Lifestyle Products & Unique Gifts. Founded by Nathalie & Russell Davis, Zebra Centaur Zebarella and long suffering forth partner Alex Ledsham, together with trusty side cat, Sushi. Cuckooland was born out of a desire to combine the most original products from all over the world with the most original, exceptional & personal customer service known to mankind (and Zebra’s).